King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table, Part 20 of 21

Before we get started tonight, I wanted to let you in on a little secret. For the best sleep, there's nothing better than the sleepy bookshelf's premium feed. You'll have ad-free access to the entire catalogue so you don't have to listen to things like this. Plus, exclusive bonus stories in between our longer books. Throw the link in the show notes to learn more and start your 7 day free trial tonight. Good evening and welcome to this sleepy bookshelf where we put down our worries from the day and pick up a good book. I'm your host, Elizabeth. Thank you so much for choosing to be here tonight. This evening we are returning to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. But first, close your eyes and focus on your breath. Breathe in and out, slowly and steadily. Notice how your body moves with each breath. Let that rhythm calm your mind and stay with it while I recap our last episode. After the grail quest, the Knights returned to Camelot and there was great rejoicing. The Lancelot's fame grew, but he withdrew from Queen Guinevere, which angered her. She accused him of disloyalty and banished him from court. During a banquet, a knight named Sir Patrice was accidentally killed by a poisoned apple meant for Sir Garwain. Queen fell on the Queen and Sir Maddow accused her of murder, demanding trial by combat. With no knight willing to defend her, she turned to Sir Bors, who reluctantly agreed to champion her for Lancelot's sake. On the appointed day, as Sir Bors prepared to fight, a mysterious knight appeared and took his place. This knight defeated Sir Maddow in combat and proved the Queen's innocence. When it was revealed that he was Sir Lancelot, the Queen was overcome with emotion, and it was later discovered that Sir Pinnell had committed the poisoning and the Queen was fully cleared. Soon after, a great tournament was announced. King Arthur departed for it, while Sir Lancelot secretly followed. He stayed at Astelat, where the Baron's daughter, Elaine, fell deeply in love with him. To disguise himself, Sir Lancelot wore her token and borrowed her brother's knight's shield. At the tournament, Lancelot fought with great skill against the Knights of the Round Table. However, a group of Round Table knights united against him, and during the fight, he was unhorsed and badly wounded. Tonight, Elaine's second brother Sir Lavain comes to Lancelot's rescue. So just lie back and relax, as I turn to the next pages of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Sir Lancelot and the Fair Elaine continued. When Sir Lavain saw, he ran to the King of Scotland and struck him off his horse and brought it to Sir Lancelot and helped him to mount. Then Sir Lancelot bore Sir Bores and his horse to the ground, and in like manner, served Sir Ecta and Sir Lionel. And turning upon three other knights, he smoked them down also, while Sir Lavain did many gallant deeds. But feeling himself now sorely wounded, Sir Lancelot drew his sword and profited to fight with Sir Bores, who by this time was mounted anew. And as they met, Sir Ecta and Sir Lionel came also, and the swords of all three drove fiercely against him. When he felt their buffets and his wound that was so grievous, he determined to do all his best while he could yet endure, and smoked Sir Bores, a blow that bent his head down nearly to the ground, and raised his helmet off and pulled him from his horse. In rushing at Sir Ecta and Sir Lionel, he smote them down and might have slain all three, but when he saw their faces, his heart forbade him. Leaving them therefore on the field, he hurled into the thickest of the press and did such feats of arms as never were beheld before. And Sir Lavain was with him through it all, and overthrew ten knights. But Sir Lancelot smote down more than thirty, and most of them knights of the round table. Then the king ordered the trumpets to blow for the end of the tourney, and the prize to be given by the heralds to the knight, with the white shield who bore the red sleeve. But air Sir Lancelot was found by the heralds, came the king of the hundred knights, and the king of north Wales, the king of Northumberland, and Sir Gallowords, and said to him, Fair knight, God bless thee, for much have ye done this day for us, wherefore we pray ye come with us, and receive the honour and the prize as ye have worshipfully deserved it. My fair lords, said Sir Lancelot, which you well if I have deserved thanks, have so bought them, for I am like never to escape with my life. Therefore, pray ye let me depart for I am sore-head. I take no thought of honour, for I'd rather rest me than be lord of all the world. And therewith he groaned piteously, and rode a great gallop away from them. And Sir Lavain rode after him, sad at heart, for the broken spear still stuck fast in Sir Lancelot's side, and the blood streamed sorely from the wound. The non-nay came near a wood, more than a mile from the lists, where he knew he could be hidden. Then said he to Sir Lavain, O gentle knight, help me to pull out this spearhead from my side, for the pain thereof nigh killeth me. Dear lord, said he, I feign I would help ye, but I dread to draw it forth, lest ye should die for loss of blood. I charge you, as you love me, said Sir Lancelot. Boydud! So they dismounted, and with a mighty wrench Sir Lavain drew the spear forth, whereat he gave a marvellous great shriek and groan. Then he sank, swooning to the earth, with a visage pale as death. Alas! cried Sir Lavain. What shall I do now? And then he turned his master's face towards the wind, and sat by him nigh half an hour, while he lay quiet as worn dead. But at the last he lifted up his eyes and said, I pray you, bear me on my horse again, and lead me to a hermit who dwelleth within two miles hence. For he was formerly a knight of Arthur's court, and now hath mighty skill in medicine and herbs. So with great pain Sir Lavain got him to his horse, and led him to the hermitage within the wood beside a stream. Then knocked he with his spear upon the door, and prayed to enter. And at that a child came out, to whom he said, Fair child, pray the good man thy master to come hither, and let in a knight who is sore wounded. A non came out the night hermit, whose name was Sir Baldwin, and asked, Who is this wounded knight? I know not, said Sir Lavain, say that he is the noblest knight I ever met with, and hath done this day such marvelous deeds of arms against King Arthur that he hath won the prize of the teny. Then the hermit gazed along on Sir Lancelot, and hardly knew him so pale was he with bleeding. Yet said he at the last, Who art thou, Lord? Sir Lancelot answered feebly, I'm a stranger, knight adventurous. I breathed through many realms to win worship. Why hideest thou thy name, dear Lord, from me? cried Sir Baldwin. For in sooth I know thee now to be the noblest knight in all the world. My Lord, Sir Lancelot to Lake, through my long had fellowship at the round table. Since ye know me, Fessa, said he, I pray ye, for Christ's sake, to help me if ye may. Doubt not, replied he, that ye shall live and fare right well. Then he staunched his wound, and gave him strong medicines and cordials, till he was refreshed from his faintness, and came to himself again. Now after the jousting was done, King Arthur held a feast, and asked to see the knight with the red sleeve that he may take the prize. So they told him how that knight had ridden from the field, wounded knight to death. He used to be the worst tidings I've heard for many years, cried out to the King. I would not for my kingdom he was slain. Then all men asked, know ye him, Lord? I may not tell ye at this time, said he, but I would to God we had good tidings of him. Then Sagawayne prayed leave to go and seek that knight, which the King gladly gave him. So forthwith he mounted, and rode many leagues round Camelot, but could hear no tidings. Within two days thereafter, King Arthur and his knights returned from Camelot, and Sagawayne chanced to lodge at Astalat, in the house of Sir Bernard. And there came in the fair Alayne to him, and prayed him news of the tournament, and who won the prize. The knight with a white shield, said he, who bear a red sleeve in his helm, smote down all corners and won the day. At that the visage of Alayne changed suddenly from white to red, and heartily she thanked our lady. Then said Sagawayne, know ye that knight, and urged her till she told him that it was her sleeve he wore. So Sagawayne knew it was for love that she had given it, and when he heard she kept his proper shield, he prayed to see it. As soon as it was brought, he saw Sir Lancelot's arms thereon and cried, Alas, now I am heavier of heart than ever yet. Wherefore? said Fair Alayne. Fair Damsel answered he, know ye not that the knight ye love is of all knights the noblest in the world, Sir Lancelot the Lake. With all my heart I pray he may have joy of each other, but hardly dare I think ye shall see him in this world again. For he is so sore wounded he may scarcely live, and is gone out of sight where none can find him. Then was Alayne, nigh mad with grief and sorrow, and with piteous words she prayed her father that she might go see Sir Lancelot and her brother. So in the end her father gave her leave, and she departed. And on the morrow came Sagawayne to court, and told how he had found Sir Lancelot's shield in Alayne's keeping, and how it was her sleeve which she had worn, where at all marveled, for Lancelot had done for her more than he had ever done for any woman. But when Queen Guinevere heard it she was beside herself with wrath, and sending privily for Sir Bors, who sorrowed sorely that through him Sir Lancelot had been hurt. Have ye now heard? said she. How falsely Sir Lancelot had betrayed me. I beseech thee, madam, said he, speak not so, for else I may not hear thee. Shall I not call him a traitor? cried she, who had worn another lady's token at the jousting. Be sure he did it, madam, for no ill intent. Replied Sir Bors, that he might be better hidden, for never did he that wise before. Now shame on him, and thee who wouldest help him. cried the Queen. Madam, say what ye will, said he, that I must haste to seek him, and God send me soon good tidings of him. Also with that he departed to find Sir Lancelot. Now Elaine had ridden with full haste from Astelot, and come to Camelot, and there she sought throughout the country for any news of Lancelot. And so it chanced that Sir Lavaine was riding near the Hermitage to exercise his horse, and when she saw him she ran up and cried aloud. How doth my lord, Sir Lancelot, fare? Then said Sir Lavaine, marvelling greatly. How know ye, my lord's name, fair sister? So she told him how Sir Garwain had lodged with Sir Bernard, and knew Sir Lancelot's shield. Then prayed she to see his lord forthwith, and when she came him to the Hermitage and found him lying there, sore, sick, and bleeding, she swooned for sorrow. And on as she revived, Sir Lancelot kissed her and said, And fair maid, pray ye take comfort, for by God's grace I shall be shortly whole of this wound, and if ye be come to tend me I am heartily bounden to your great kindness. That he was sore vex to hear Sir Garwain had discovered him, for he knew Queen Guinevere would be full wrath because of the red sleeve. So Elaine rested in the Hermitage, and every night and day she watched and waited on Sir Lancelot, and would let none other tend him. And as she saw him more, the more she set her love upon him, and could by no means withdraw it. Then said Sir Lancelot to Sir Lavain, I pray thee set some to watch for the good night's suborts, for as he heard me, so will he surely seek for me. Now suborts by this time had come to Camelot, and was seeking for Sir Lancelot everywhere. So Sir Lavain soon found him and brought him to the Hermitage. And when he saw Sir Lancelot pale and feeble, he wept for pitting in sorrow that he had given him that grievous wound. God send thee a right speedy cure, dear lord, said he, for I am of all men most unhappy to have wounded thee, who art our leader, in the noblest night in all the world. My cousin, said Sir Lancelot, be comforted, for I have but gained what I sought, and it was through pride that I was hurt, that I warned ye of my coming it had not been. Wherefore, let us speak of other things. So they talked long together, and Sir Bors told him of the Queen's anger. Then he asked Sir Lancelot, was it from this maid who tendered thee so lovingly, he hid the token. Ye, said Sir Lancelot, and what I could persuade her to withdraw her love from me. Why should ye do so, said Sir Bors, for she is passing fair and loving, and would to heaven ye could love her? It may not be him, replied he, but it repented me in soothed griefer. Then they talked of other matters, and of the great jousting at all hallow tide next coming between King Arthur and the King of North Wales. Abide with me till then, said Sir Lancelot, for by that time I trust to be all whole again, and we will go together. So Alayne, daily and nightly tending him within a month, he felt so strong he deemed himself full cured. Then on a day when Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine were from the Hermitage, and the Night Hermit was also gone forth, Sir Lancelot prayed Alayne to bring him some herbs from the forest. When she was gone, he rose and made haste to arm himself, and try if he were whole enough to joust, and mounted on his horse, which was fresh with lack of labour for so longer time. But when he set his spear in the rest and tried his armour, the horse bounded and leapt beneath him, so that Sir Lancelot strained to keep him back, and therewith, his wound, which was not wholly healed, burst forth again, and with a mighty groan he sank down, swooning on the ground. At that came fair Alayne, and wept and piteously moaned to see him lying so. And when Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine came back, she called them traitors to let him rise, or to know any rumour of the tournament. And on the Hermitage returned and was wroth to see Sir Lancelot risen. But within a while, he recovered him from his swoon, and staunched the wound. Then Sir Lancelot told him how he had risen of his own will to assay his strength for the tournament. But the Hermitage made him rest and let Sir Bors go alone, for else he would sorely peril his life. And Alayne with tears prayed him in the same wise, so that Sir Lancelot in the end consented. So Sir Bors departed to the tournament, and there he did such feats of arms that the prize was given between him and Sir Garwayne, who did like valiantly. And when all was over, he came back, and told Sir Lancelot, and found him so nigh well that he could rise and walk. And within a while thereafter, he departed from the Hermitage, and went with Sir Bors, Sir Lavayne, and Fair Alayne to Astalat, where Sir Bernard joyfully received them. But after they had lodged there a few days, Sir Lancelot and Sir Bors must needs depart, and return to King Arthur's court. So when Alayne knew Sir Lancelot must go, she came to him and said, Have mercy on me, Fair Knight, and let me not die for your love. Then Sir Lancelot, very sad at heart, said, Fair Maid, what would ye that I should do for you? If I may not be your wife, dear Lord, she answered, I must die. Alas, said he, I pray heaven that may not be, for in sooth I may not be your husband. But fame would I show ye what thankfulness I can for all your love and kindness to me, and ever will I be your knight, Fair Maiden. And if it chance that ye shall ever wed some noble knight, right heartily will I give ye such a dower, as half my lance will bring. Alas, what shall that aid me? Answered she, I must die. And therewith she fell to the earth in a deep swoon. Then was Sir Lancelot passing heavy of heart, and said to Sir Bernard and Sir Lavaine, What shall I do for her? Alas, said Sir Bernard, I know well that she will die for your sake. And Sir Lavaine said, I marvel not that she so sorely mourneth your departure, for truly I do as she doth, and since I once have seen you, Lord, I cannot leave you. So anon with a full sorrowful heart, Sir Lancelot took his leave, and Sir Lavaine rode with him to the court, and King Arthur and the knights of the round table joyed greatly to see him whole of his wound. But Queen Grinevere was sorely wroth, and neither spake with him nor greeted him. Now when Sir Lancelot had departed, the maid of Astelat could neither eat, nor drink, nor sleep for sorrow. And having thus endured ten days, she felt within herself that she must die. Then sent she for a holy man, and was shriven, and received the sacrament. But when he told her she must leave her earthly thoughts, she answered, Am I not an earthly woman? What sin is it to love the noblest night of all the well? And by my truth, I am not able to withstand the love whereof I die, before I pray the high father of heaven to have mercy on my soul. Then she besought Sir Bernard to indict a letter, as she should devise, and said, And I am dead, put this within my hand, and dress me in my fairest clothes, and lay me in a barge, all covered with black sunlight, and stare at down the river till it reached the court. Thus father I beseech thee let it be. Then full of grief he promised her it should be so, and anon she died, and all the household made a bitter lamentation over her. Then did they as she had desired, and laid her body richly dressed upon a bed within the barge, and a trusty servant steered it down the river towards the court. Now King Arthur and Queen Guinevere sat at the window of the palace, and saw the barge come floating with the tide, and marveled what was laid therein, and sent a messenger to see, who soon returning prayed them to come forth. When they came to the shore they marveled greatly, and the king asked of the serving man who steered the barge what this might mean. But he made signs that he was dumb, and pointed to the letter in the damsel's hands. So King Arthur took the letter from the hand of the corpse, and found thereon written to the noble knight, Salant Salot Dulay. Then was Salant Salot sent forth, and the letter read aloud by the clerk, and thus it was written, Most noble knight, my lord Salant Salot, now hath death forever parted us. I, whom men call the maid of Astelat, set my love upon you, and have died for your sake. This is my last request, that ye pray for my soul and give me burial. Grant me this Salant Salot, as thou art a peerless knight. At these words the queen and all the knights wept, saw for pity. Then said Salant Salot, my lord, I am right heavy for the death of this fair damsel. God knows that right unwillingly I caused it, for she was as good as she was fair. Much was I beholden to her, but she loved me beyond measure, and asked me that I could not give her. He might have shown her gentleness enough to save her life. Answered the queen, Madam, said he, she would be repaid by my taking her to wife, that I could not grant her for love cometh of the heart, and not by constraint. That is true, said the king, for love is free. I pray, said Salant Salot, that me now grant her last asking to be buried by me. So on the morrow he caused her body to be buried richly in solemnly, and ordained masses for her soul, and made great sorrow over her. Then the queen sent for Salant Salot, and prayed his pardon for her wrath against him without cause. This is not the first time it had been so, answered he, yet must ever I bear with you, and so do I now forgive you. So Queen Gwynevere and Salant Salot were made friends again, but anon such favour did she show him, as in the end brought many evils on them both, and a war the realm. 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